Australia’s top batters found their form during the festive season, helping the team take the lead on Boxing Day in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. After winning the toss for the first time in the series, Australia’s top four — Sam Konstas, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, and Steve Smith — all scored over 50 runs. Australia’s Top Order Delivers Big on Boxing Day While only Steve Smith came close to a big century, their solid efforts helped Australia reach a strong total of 311 for 6 at the end of the first day.
India, however, fought back late in the day. Jasprit Bumrah’s two quick wickets in the final session and Akash Deep’s tireless bowling kept them in the contest. Despite missing a century, Australia’s batters laid a strong foundation, but India’s bowlers showed they won’t give up easily in this exciting clash.
After three Tests, Australia wanted to try something new against India. This led them to 19-year-old Sam Konstas, who was given the challenge of dealing with Jasprit Bumrah, who had dominated Australia’s top-three batters. On his debut, Konstas brought excitement to the game.
He played with boldness and confidence, delighting the holiday crowd at the famous stadium. His fearless batting and stylish shots lit up the day, making it a moment to remember. The young player’s fresh energy and daring approach gave Australia a much-needed boost, showing they were ready to fight back in the series.
READ ALSO: https://thesocialnews.in/wwe-raw/
Sam Konstas showed no fear against
India’s fast bowlers at the MCG. He played bold shots, like reverse scoops, and even stepped forward to take on the bowlers directly. His fearless attitude caused problems for India early in the match on a good batting surface.
Luck was also on his side. In the very first over, Bumrah beat him four times, but Konstas didn’t back down. He tried two reverse scoops, but the ball missed his bat and went straight into the air instead. Despite these early misses, the young batter’s daring approach kept the crowd entertained and left India struggling to find their rhythm.
The game changed in the seventh over
when Sam Konstas finally connected with his reverse scoops. He hit Jasprit Bumrah for three boundaries—two fours and a six. The six was a big moment, as it was the first time Bumrah had given up a six in Tests since 2021 in Sydney.
This bold play unsettled India and even forced Bumrah to adjust his usually sharp tactics by bowling shorter white-ball lengths. His first six-over spell cost 38 runs, with Konstas scoring 34 off the 33 balls he faced from the star bowler.
This also helped Usman Khawaja. Having been dismissed by Bumrah four times earlier in the series, Khawaja faced only three balls from him in this spell. Freed from the pressure, Khawaja settled in and built his innings against the other bowlers, giving Australia a strong start.
After making India adjust their field with a fly stop in the first hour of the Test, Sam Konstas switched to a new strategy. He stepped back and hammered the fast bowlers through the off-side. He also punished short balls, hitting them through mid-wicket, often in the air without hesitation.
Konstas reached his half-century at lightning speed, needing just 52 balls. This made him Australia’s second-youngest player to score a Test fifty. He celebrated by hitting Mohammed Siraj for a four and a six in the very next two balls, bringing his total boundaries to eight (six fours and two sixes).
His exciting innings ended on 60 runs when Ravindra Jadeja got him out LBW. The ball slipped past his inside edge, breaking an 89-run opening partnership. Despite his dismissal, Konstas’ bold start gave Australia a strong foundation early in the match.
Sam Konstas walked off the field
to a loud cheer after his 60 runs, having set up a strong foundation for the rest of the Australian batters. His bold play especially helped Khawaja and Labuschagne, who both had a calm and easy start to their innings.
In the first session, India struggled, giving up 112 runs in just 25 overs. However, they found their rhythm in the next session by bowling straight and adding an extra fielder on the legside. Akash Deep and Bumrah started the second session by bowling two maiden overs each, putting pressure on the Australian batters. But Khawaja broke the drought by hitting a pull shot for a boundary, getting Australia back on track.
Both Akash Deep and Jasprit Bumrah found the edges of the Australian batsmen’s bats, but the softer ball and lack of bounce off the pitch meant the catches didn’t carry to the fielders. During the 13 overs before the drinks break, only 26 runs were scored, with Khawaja reaching his first half-century of the series.
At the other end, Mohammed Siraj made life difficult for Marnus Labuschagne. He bowled deliveries that cut back into the right-handed Labuschagne, causing him plenty of discomfort. Despite this, Khawaja’s steady progress and the pressure from Siraj showed how the match was shifting into a battle between bat and ball.
India’s hard work paid off when Jasprit Bumrah came back for another spell and ended the 65-run partnership by dismissing Usman Khawaja for the fifth time in this series. This time, Khawaja got an unlucky break, toe-ending a pull shot straight to midwicket, which surprised even Bumrah.
With Khawaja out, Australia’s
top two batters, Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne, came to the crease. Smith, fresh off a century in Brisbane, was quick to get going, especially against Ravindra Jadeja. Smith often stepped down the pitch to hit Jadeja over the top. Together, Smith and Labuschagne scored 61 runs in the first 12 overs of the final session, taking advantage of a ball that was 53 overs old.
Akash Deep bowled well but was unlucky, nearly getting Smith out twice. Once, an umpire’s call saved Smith, and the other time, India wasted a review, leaving Smith still at the crease.
After the drinks break, Australia’s
luck changed. Marnus Labuschagne charged at Washington Sundar and hit a catch straight to Virat Kohli at mid-off. Australia went from 237 for 2 to 246 for 5 as Bumrah delivered another tough spell with the old ball. He dismissed Travis Head for a duck when Head missed a delivery and then had Mitchell Marsh caught behind for just 4 while trying to hit across the line.
At this point, Australia found some stability with a 53-run partnership between Steve Smith and Alex Carey. However, Carey was dismissed for 31 by the hard-working Deep when India took the second new ball. Smith and Pat Cummins then safely played through the remainder of the tricky session under lights, with Smith finishing the day unbeaten on 68.